Yes, Annika Should Stay Out!(Feminists and Culturally-Agnostic Conservatives should realize this)

Cornell Review ^ | 5/26/2003 | Joseph J. Sabia

[TLBSHOW]

Yes, Annika Should Stay Out!

By Joseph J. Sabia

A number of conservative readers are very unhappy with my position on Annika Sorenstam’s involvement on the PGA Tour. Their argument goes something like this: “You are a conservative. Conservatives are supposed to believe in merit-based policies. Annika played by the same rules as the men, so you should have no problem with her.”

My brief response to this argument is threefold:

(1) Beware of blind devotion to merit. First, and most importantly, women cannot compete with men athletically. Physical differences cannot be ignored just because some wish they would go away. So there is no merit argument here anyway. Regardless, cultural values should not be sacrificed because of blind devotion to merit. Conservatives ought to be able to understand that while a meritocracy is great in most cases, there are some instances where the costs to the culture will outweigh the benefits of a purely merit-based system.

Consider the military—I’m sure that there are some motorcycle-riding lesbians out there who are more physically adept than some of our military men on the front lines. Does that mean that we should let the lesbians in if they can make the cut? No, of course not. We believe that it would undermine the cohesion of military units and bring us to the inevitable—dead women on the battlefield. It would also undermine an important cultural value—women should be honored and protected by men.

“But Sabia,” you wonder, “what is the cultural value at stake if we integrate sports?”

It is this: Men and women should not be in physical competition with one another. If a man defeats a woman, it is expected. (And if a woman defeats a man, it is a disgrace...and that man should retire in shame forever.) Moreover, there is no glory in a man defeating a woman in a physical competition. Sports are all about physical domination, conditioning, and a strong work ethic. Introducing women will feminize it.

(2) Lowering of standards is inevitable. From a practical point of view, allowing women into men’s sports will inevitably lead to lower standards. Why? Because of the aforementioned fact—women are physically inferior to men. Think about the jobs that have been integrated where physical strength is a critical component—the military, the police force, the fire department, etc. When women were allowed into each of these jobs, standards inevitably fell so as to increase the “representation” of women.

Conservatives who support Annika can continue to live in a fantasyland where an integrated PGA will remain merit-based, but such hopes defy all historical reality.

Other readers have argued that the free market should determine whether a woman is allowed in the PGA. Of course that's fine with me—I am not suggesting government intervention to achieve my perferred goal. I am simply making an argument to influence individuals' preferences over allowing women in men's sports.

(3) Annika is with me. Annika said it herself: “I’m not as tough as I thought I was. I was way over my head…I know where I belong and I’m going to go back [to the LGPA].” Annika knows that she (like all women) does not belong in the PGA. It is time for feminists and culturally-agnostic conservatives to realize this too.

[widowithfoursons]

Well, she said it herself. Who's to argue?

[trebb]

Amen... Now, let's all let it go

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Would it be possible to persuade an 'AVERAGE' PGA golfer to play the LPGA?

[Charles Henrickson]

From the Wide World of Women's Sports:

California first baseman Veronica Nelson rounds second base after hitting a two-run homer in the fifth inning against Arizona, Sunday, May 25, 2003, in an elimination game in the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. It was Nelson's 13th home run of the season. California won 4-1, and advances to Monday's championship game. (AP Photo/Jerry Laizure)

California's Mikella Pedretti, left, hugs teammate Veronica Nelson after their 1-0 loss to UCLA in the title game of the NCAA softball championship, Monday, May 26, 2003, in Oklahoma City. Nelson, a prolific home run hitter, was intentionally walked in her three appearances at the plate in the game. (AP Photo/Jerry Laizure)

[Charles Henrickson]

Actually, I don't have a problem with women's sports per se. It's just that I think that: a) no one should imagine that women are anywhere close to being able to compete with men (e.g., a men's intramural team could beat a WNBA team); b) it's no mystery why nobody wants to watch their games; and c) it's too bad so many men's sports (e.g., wrestling, gymnastics) have been cut at colleges just to satisy some "gender equality" formula, even though there are not as many women interested in playing competitive sports as there are men.

[Nonstatist]

there are some instances where the costs to the culture will outweigh the benefits of a purely merit-based system.

Huh, say what?? What exactly is this guy's problem? If it's based entirely on merit alone, you'll have very few if any "Annika's" in the future, so why doesen't he just give it up?

[RonF]

Watch it! My daughter plays softball for her college (Div. III). Some of the girls on that team will never be mistaken for models or gymnasts, but they can hit better and throw harder than most men. What is your point in posting the pictures of this woman? Ridicule? It sounds like she's accomplished more in sports than most people.

[shadowman99]

Most people who get impassioned about women in golf will never play or watch a game of golf.

I'm no golf fan, but I hear she's as good as any of the other players in the PGA, so let her prove her worth and be done with it.

Let it go.

[BenLurkin]

This is a poor argument against allowing women to compete.

Either they are comeptitive or not. If they are, then there is no "disgrace" to men losing.

[BIGZ]

Equal is equal! There should be one golf tour, pro basketball league, bowling tour, olympic race, etc. If you hack it good, if not sorry. Women should hit off the same tees as men at the country club run the same obstacle course in the armed services etc. Equal is Equal or is the definition of equal escaping me.

EQUAL adj. On the same degree with another or each other, as in magnitude or value: neither greater or less.

[jwalsh07]

I'm no golf fan, but I hear she's as good as any of the other players in the PGA, so let her prove her worth and be done with it.

LOL, night is day, up is down, red is green.

[RonF]

(e.g., a men's intramural team could beat a WNBA team)

I'd love to find an opportunity to test this. I imagine that you're dead wrong. Shooting accuracy, playmaking, defensive skills, would in my estimation overcome the male advantages that a relatively unskilled "men's intramural" team would have. I think you seriously overestimate the advantage that raw strength would give such a team.

[RonF]

And if a woman defeats a man, it is a disgrace...and that man should retire in shame forever.

So all the guys that Annika outscored in the Colonial (some 27, wasn't it?) should retire from the PGA?

[Charles Henrickson]

What is your point in posting the pictures of this woman? Ridicule?

No, not really. Not against this particular girl, that's for sure.

It's just that the top photo did look funny when I saw it--I can't help it. (That's undoubtedly why it's among the most e-mailed photos in the country on Yahoo right now.) In fact, I resisted posting it as a "Caption This" precisely because I didn't want it to be just a ridiculing of this girl.

But the photo does show that an obvious non-athlete can succeed in women's sports simply because of her enormous mass--she can pound the ball out.

But then, look at NFL offensive linemen. At least, though, though they have enormous *strength* to go with their enormous girth. This girl's strength would only be relative to other girls.

[Nonstatist]

but I hear she's as good as any of the other players in the PGA

For starters, whe would never have qualified for the torunament if she hadn't been given a "waiver". Her chip shots and putting is below average; the best part of her game is off the tee, and she's good but not elite in that area. And she's about the best woman player in the game. So, based on merit, there wouldnt be much of a problem with integration, right?

[philosofy123]

Say we go to the world strongest men contest. Pick a monster guy with 25 inch neck, and 70 inch chest; who can lift 1000 lb? Now can any of these feminists bring a girl that can lift the same weight? NEVER! EVER! Not on this planet!

Hence the question is men are normally stronger than women. Yes, occasionally, you can find an abnormally strong “Amazon” women who can beat an average guy! However, that is not the Norm.

Annika is a great golf player, and the best woman player. She should not have ventured into that feminist bating nonsense.

[Eagle Eye]

B-b-b-but equality isn't fair.

/whine

[Protagoras]

Annika said it herself: “I’m not as tough as I thought I was. I was way over my head…I know where I belong and I’m going to go back [to the LGPA].”

This statement doesn't pass the smell test. I'm guessing it's BS. This guy probably wants a job at the NYT.